SprueStretcher62 Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Who makes the best B-25 ? Any version Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Do you have a preferred scale? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SprueStretcher62 Posted August 7, 2019 Author Share Posted August 7, 2019 1 minute ago, Kurt H. said: Do you have a preferred scale? 1/48 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 22 minutes ago, SprueStretcher62 said: 1/48 There were two offerings in 1/48th scale. The first is Monogram, it is a kit from 1977, with nice detail and raised panel lines. This Kit was most recently offered in a Revell box. The other was the Accurate Miniatures kit, which was released in 1999 with even more detail and engraved panel lines. After the demise of Accurate miniatures, this kit was also released by Italeri and most recently by Academy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I think it really depends on what specific B-25 you want to build. Both the Monogram and Accurate Miniatures are excellent kits, but are not in direct competition with each other, as Monogram molded the late-model B-25H and J, with the top turret located behind the cockpit, whereas Accurate Miniatures molded the early B-25B/C/D (and a conversion to make the cannon-nose "G") that had the top turret located aft of the wing root and a slightly different aft fuselage shape. There was also an old molding of the early B-25 from Revell (not a Monogram kit), but that one is from the 60's, maybe early 70's at the latest and probably isn't what you'd be looking for in a kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 7 hours ago, Joe Hegedus said: I think it really depends on what specific B-25 you want to build. Both the Monogram and Accurate Miniatures are excellent kits, but are not in direct competition with each other, as Monogram molded the late-model B-25H and J, with the top turret located behind the cockpit, whereas Accurate Miniatures molded the early B-25B/C/D (and a conversion to make the cannon-nose "G") that had the top turret located aft of the wing root and a slightly different aft fuselage shape. There was also an old molding of the early B-25 from Revell (not a Monogram kit), but that one is from the 60's, maybe early 70's at the latest and probably isn't what you'd be looking for in a kit. Joe, Academy reissued the older AM B25g in a one box kit. Of all of them, I really like the B25b best. Glt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 5 minutes ago, ChesshireCat said: Joe, Academy reissued the older AM B25g in a one box kit. Of all of them, I really like the B25b best. Glt Thanks, I was unaware of that. 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afspret Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 The AM kits are pretty good, IMHO, fit wise and the detail is pretty good. The only issue I ever heard of with them was something to do with the front of the engine cowl, but can't recall what it was. I also seem to recall there was one or two resin aftermarket items produced that corrected the issue. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 8 hours ago, afspret said: The AM kits are pretty good, IMHO, fit wise and the detail is pretty good. The only issue I ever heard of with them was something to do with the front of the engine cowl, but can't recall what it was. I also seem to recall there was one or two resin aftermarket items produced that corrected the issue. Quickboost and at least one other have corrected cowls. Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Williams Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 8 hours ago, afspret said: The AM kits are pretty good, IMHO, fit wise and the detail is pretty good. The only issue I ever heard of with them was something to do with the front of the engine cowl, but can't recall what it was. I also seem to recall there was one or two resin aftermarket items produced that corrected the issue. The opening in the front was too small in diameter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChesshireCat Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 On 8/7/2019 at 11:56 PM, Dave Williams said: The opening in the front was too small in diameter. Dave, I think the B25b cowl is different enough to require replacement. Maybe wrong here, as it's been years since I did that kit. Seems like it has more todo with the exhaust and air scoops than anything else Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jpk Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 Wasn't there an issue with the canopy/ nose glass shape? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quark51 Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 I have built all three versions of the Revell/Monogram B-25, the H, solid nose J and glass nose J and they are nice kits, I have not built the AM kits though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
metroman Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) On 8/7/2019 at 11:56 PM, Dave Williams said: The opening in the front was too small in diameter. It is too small - on HS there's a build article with a head-on comparison. I'll say that after reading multiple articles and looking close at the resin cowl options for my still-ongoing B-25D build I opted to try enlarging the openings my own with sanding film wrapped around a 'Detailer' wash bottle (it fit perfect)... took five minutes to enlarge both, very easy. Look I'm all for supporting our resin Mfgs but the replacement cowls add little in detail but more to your workload. Sand away I say, it looks fine - Cheers to all Edited September 4, 2019 by metroman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robertson Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Fixing the Accurate Min. kit cowls is a tough proposition, if you are demanding on the result... Resin AM are a huge timesaver, and will usually be much better, as well as not that expensive... The compound radius needs fixing, and it must be done the exact same way all around...: That's essentially nonsense. Spare yourself and get resin cowls. R. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 I just purchased a Monogram B-25J with a solid nose and eight guns in the nose. I started building the wings last week. Very nice fit. If you use enough clamps you will need very little putty on the seams. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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